African Court urges member states to commit to its original mission to resolve democracy crises

By Catherine Ageno

African governments have been asked to renew their commitment to the original aim of establishing the African Court if it is to make a significant contribution to resolving the regional democracy crisis currently facing the continent.

The call is made by the president of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, H.E Imani Aboud in her New Year message.

She says that institutions such as the African Court have proved in the past years that they can make a significant contribution to achieving regional integration and human development.

She adds that human rights justice is at the center of the debate on current threats to democratization in Africa.

Aboud has also promised to focus the Court’s energies on re-building institutional trust in 2022, saying the ongoing social-political developments on the continent have created a pressing need to build and deepen institutional trust both in the eyes of the public and the Member States.

She says ultimately, crystalizing these perspectives in the course of the year requires the support of all stakeholders including the African Union, Members States, judges, and staff of the Court as well as African organizations working in and for Africa.

“I, therefore, call on all of you to lend a hand in the realization of the Court’s vision of creating a continent with a viable human rights culture, she said in a statement.”

Written by Noelyn Nassuuna